How to Grow an Apple in a Bottle

Introduction: How to Grow an Apple in a Bottle

Last year I turned 21 and well shopping at A liquor store in St.Cloud MN, There was something that caught my eye. It was A pear in A bottle of brandy, I got to thinking how did The pear get in the bottle. well I couldn't figure it out but after searching GOOGLE I did. They Grown it in the bottle,very cool. Well I don't have an pear tree but I did have an apple tree and thought it could work.

Step 1: Materials Needed

At least one apple tree.
A few empty bottles, Clear Only.
I put up five when I started this experiment and had two of then at the end with one apple in each.
A few feet of coated copper wire, The more bottles the more wire you will need.
A ladder or steeping stool, Helps to get up into the tree.
A helping hand to hold the bottles for you while you secure the bottle to the tree.
patience This takes a lot of time.

Step 2: Clean the Bottles

Thoroughly clean inside and outside of the bottles make sure there big enough for and average apple to grow in them.
I used A captain morgan 1.75ltr. and a 3 ltr. wine jug they worked great.
use goo-gone and A razor blade (Be Careful) to clean of any labels.

Step 3: Find the Best Spot to Hang the Bottle.

The bottle needs to sit up side down so any water will drain out the bottom.
Find A Solid branch to mount the bottle to, make sure its strong because it has to stay up there through rain, wind and any storms that may happen.
Kinda eye up where they will stay but don't hang them until the apple buds are ready.

Step 4: Be Patient.

This takes A lot of time.
You want to wait until the apple bud is the size of the the bottle opening and will fit in with out pressing it in.

Step 5: Find the King Bud.

Find the strongest looking apple bud on an acceptable branch trim all others, buds and leaves and carefully place apple bud in the bottle, then carefully hang the bottle.

Step 6: Some Problems I Had.

I put them on way to early.
The flowers Blossomed inside the bottle.
Made some cool pics though.
I think I moved all the bottles around 5 times its a lot of work
The Wind was a big issue lost a bottle do to the wind

Step 7: One That Worked

This is the captain morgan jug. It's 1.75 litters.
This is the one that was in there the longest.
I got The Most pictures from start to finish.
I think it turned out awesome.

Step 8: Another One That Worked

This was the 3litter Wine Jug.
Work real well had the biggest opening in the top.
tried getting 2 apples to grow in this but the wind knocked one out, luckily not both.

Step 9: We Had Lots of Apples This Year

It seems every other year are apple tree Has tons of apples.
My Paps and I even made A apple press out of wood with A 8-ton bottle jack.

Step 10: Clean Bottles Again

Once the apples are done growing on the tree remove them, And clean them out with cold water.
Take your time You put a lot of work in getting this far.

Step 11: Fill the Bottles

Fill Them with Your Favorite spirit. Brandy, Rum, etc.
I made Apple Pie the Drink and used that.
Recipe on Next step

Step 12: Apple Pie (Drink) Recipe

This is A recipe For Apple Pie The Drink. There are different ways to make it this is how I did it.
Materials Needed:
1-Gallon apple juice
1-Gallon apple cider
3-6 cinnamon sticks ( I bought some 6 inch and 10 inch sticks online) or more if you like a strong cinnamon flavor .
2- cups brown sugar
1- litter 190 proof ever clear (grain Alcohol) or 151 if thats all thats available in your state (just use A little more)
Large stock pot
stirring spoon

Add all ingredients In stock pot (EXCEPT EVER-CLEAR) Then heat up to A low simmer, untill the sugar is dissolved.
Then Let cool down. Once Cool add the ever clear.
If you don't cool it down the ever clear could evaporate out.
Thats it Bottle it up store in fringe, Just to be safe. Taste just like apple pie!!

Step 13: Enjoy in Moderation

Disclaimer
This is intended for people of legal drinking age in the US its 21.

Step 14: Next Time

I would like to try and get A multiple apple in A bottle, would be very cool.
If I had an apple-pear tree or A pear tree I would like to try that. Not known when I started this experiment, Apples get A weird texture after sitting in the booze. My Friend Ate the apple after it had been sitting in there for A while ( careful if you break the glass you wouldn't want to eat any glass) He Said it tasted like an apple but with the texture of A peach. I think A pear would be better but an apple tree is all I had. Maybe A pear apple would work?

Step 15: If I Won the Zing Laser Cutter

I would like to etch some designs in my laptops, iPhone would be cool
Also make some gifts with it for Christmas or birthdays.
Im sure I would find many use for it.

So Please leave a comment if you like my instructables.
Alway ask any questions if you have any.

Cool I already hung a couple bottles before I found this What did you do about bugs and worms? I've sealed the branches around the bottles 'cause we do get worms... I have one bottle in an Apple tree and one in a Pear tree (this is my first attempt) and I do have more bottles ready as soon as I can get perches for them...

To my knowledge, the apples in the bottles did not grow any faster or slower than the apple that weren't. There might have been an increased amount of moisture in the bottles during certain times, from condesation.

You can save the bottles by just letting the fruit rot away when the spirit is gone. That's what the large bottles do to cut down on costs. When a fruit doesn't lass quality inspection they set the bottle aside and let the fruit rot away and then wash the bottle. The alcohol also helps to preserve the fruit and keep mold and bacteria from growing on the fruit.

My buddy broke the bottle, Its the only way. I would be careful and thoroughly wash it good wouldn't want to eat any glass. I don't recommend it Its more for looks and the cool factor. Thanks for the comment.

Because It gets diluted by adding the gallon of cider and the gallon of apple juice. the finish product is around 10- 15% by volume 30 proof. Its around the alcohol content of A strong wine. EverClear should always be diluted with Juice, Soda, ETC. Or Used to make homemade liqueurs like apple pie (Drink). Thanks for the comment!